Unloading or discharging means



. E, J. CARROLL ET AL UNLOADING OR DISCHARGING MEANS May 5, 1931 5' Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed NOV. 27, 1925 y 51931. E. .1. CARROLL ET AL 1,303,662

UNLOADING OR DISCHARGING MEANS Filed 1925 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 VENTOR J M iizj BY Q 5 y 1931- E. J. CARROLL ET AL 1,803,662

UNLOADING OR DISCHARGING MEANS Filed Nov. 27, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORJ' BY 1 614 AM Patented May 5, 1931 whereby the machine may partic EMIL J. CARROLL ANnEnMUNn I. CUTTER, or

AMERICAN LAUNDRY MAGH INERY.GOM PANY, 0F NORWOOD, OHIO, A CORPORA- TION or onto UNLOADING. on nrscrmneme MEANS Application filed November 27, 1925.. Serial No. 71,743..

This invention'relates to washing or like machines of the type comprising an outer tub and inner cylinder, and has particular bearing upon the door arrangement in the outertub and the provision of a suitable construction in the washer drum itself to facilitate loading and dumping. 'Commercial washing or like machines usually comprise an outer tub with a door frame extendingover its upper front quarter and a cylinder also provided with a door adapted for registration with the door of the tub be loaded and unloaded.

The present invention relates to a washing or like machine of this general type, but provided with another unloading door preferably on the lower front quarter arranged to permit the ready unloading of the load and especially adapted for self-dumping when the work carrying cylinder is provided with the Y partition arrangement, which is one wherein the cylinder is divided into three parts by three partitions extending radially through the axis; in which arrangement, of course each pocket formed by these partitions is provided with a periph eral door. It is also obvious thatin a certain position one partition becomes inclined downwardly at the front to an extent such that the wet clothes will slide off the partition and if the. cylinder door is open and a lower dumping door is provided automatic dumping readily may be accomplished. g V In machines of this type where a tub door is placed below the center, as for dumping purposes, liquid level in the tub, it is essential that such door be properly sealed to prevent water leakage and this is accomplished in the present case by an arrangement of gaskets about the door opening and novel clamping means for sealing the doortightly upon these gaskets to prevent leakage, not only along the lower front edge, but at the sides as well. 7 While the invention has been shown applied to a machine for washing ,fabrics or clothing and the description hereinafter has ular reference to such a machine, it will be understood that the invention 1s not and therefore below the normal therebylimited but is also capable of use in many other machines where the work, whatever it may be, is'loaded into and removed from a cylinder which is rotated within an outer casing while subjecting the work to some treatment. For example, it may ,be used in dry cleaning washers where the work is rotated in a dry cleaning liquid, such as gasoline, in drying tumblers, where the work is rotated in a current of air, in dyeing machines where the work is, rotated in-a bath of dye liquor, as well as other like machines of this general type,

Other features of, the invention will be readily understood from the accompanying description and drawings in which? Fig. 1 is an end elevation showing a typical section through the machine; Fig. 2 is a detail of the bolt mechanism for one of the cylinder doors; Fig. 3 is a section along the line 3-3, Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a partial front-elevation showing the doors of the machine, broken to show certain details of construction and economize space; Fig. 5 is a section along the line 55 of Fig. 4; Fig. (3 is a similar section but showing the unloading door released; Fig. 7 is a detail of the operating lever for the clamping mechanism for the unloading door; and Fig. 8 is a section along the line 8 S of Fig. 5.

The principal parts of the machine illustrated are a foraminatedi cylinder 1, mounted to revolvewithin the tub 2 supported upon the frame 3, the cylinder being divided by radially and longitudinally extending to raminated partitions into three equal com pa-rtments or pockets. Access may be had to each of the pockets t-through the circumferentiallysliding doors 5. spaced around the cyli'nderl, each door being securablein either open or closed position by a spring pressed bolt 6 operable througha rack and segment (Figs. 2 and 3) by a handle flush with the cylinder 1, andengageable when the door is open or closed with the notches 7.01 8 respectively in the cylinder. 7

At the front of the tub 2 extending circumferentially both above and below the level of its axis is an opening terminating below the normal level ofliquid in said tub. The upper nonwoon, OHIO, ASSIGNORS 'ro 'rnE portion of this opening is closed by a circumferentially sliding door 9 and the lower portion by a similar circumferentially sliding unloading door 10. Customarily washing machines are of considerable dimension longitudinally and a plurality of openings are provided instead of the single one described.

In Fig. 4 are shown loading and unloading doors 9 and 10 in addition to and corresponding with the doors 9 and 10, and hereinafter such plurality of doors will be understood although not specifically referred to.

Secured to the tub 2 around the bottom and sides of that part of the opening closed by the door 10 extends a gasket 11 whereby, providing sufiicient pressure be maintained upon the door 10, the joint between the door and the tub may be made water tight. Extending across the bottom of the opening is a lip 12 secured to the tub at an angle therewith to form a channel, V-shaped in cross section, in which the bottom edge of the door 10 rests in the closed position, whereby in the closing position said edge is forced against the adjacent portion of the gasket to form a water tight joint therewith and with the tub.

Coextensive with the sides of the door 10 are arcua-te brackets 13 secured upon the tub 2 and provided each with a pair of coexten sive flanges 14 containing corresponding inclined slots 15 spaced at intervals therein. Through each pair of the slots 15 extends a pin 16, the ends projecting beyond the flanges l4, and where adjacent a door 10 being provided with a roller 17 to engage with the door to press it against the gasket 11. It is obt ious from Fig. 8 that where the bracket extends between doors (10 and 10 the pins 16 will be provided on either end with a roller, whereas when the bracket extends merely alongside one door, only the pin ends adjacent thereto need be provided with rollers.

Extending between the flanges of each bracket 13 is an arcuate clamping link 18 provided with spaced holes through each of which one of the pins 16 passes.

Since the slots 15 extend at angles, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, it is obvious that a downward circumferential motion of the link 18 will produce in effect inward motion of the rollers 17 against the doors 10 clamping them tightly against the portion of the gasket 11 extending along the sides of the opening in the tub 2.

Extending laterally across the front of the tub 2 and below the openings therein is a shaft 19, one end projecting beyond the frame 3 and carrying a lever 20 engageable with notches in an are 21 fast upon the frame 3, whereby the shaft 19 is rotatable through an arc and securable in either of the extremes thereof. Mounted upon the shaft 19 in the plane of each of the clamping links 18 is a crank 22 connected by suitable links with the lower end of the clamping link.

It is evident from the above that when the shaft 19 is moved by means of the lever 20 in a clockwise direction (Fig. 5) each clamping link 18 will be drawn downwards and inwards, forcing the rollers 17 against the doors 10 and sealing them tightly against the gaskets along the side edges of the opening in the tub 2; downward motion of the door 10 being prevented by the lip 12, which, however, produces a wedging action to force the lower edge of the door inwardly against the corresponding horizontal portion of the gasket.

When the lever 20 is pulled outward from the machine, moving the shaft in a counter clockwise direction, Fig. 5, each clamping link 18 is forced upwardly and due to the slots 15 moves outwardly retracting the rollers 17 from the doors 10.

Below the door and extending downwardly with the tub contour are guide flanges 23. If the lever 20 is in its outer position and door 9 open, the operator may grasp the door 10 by its lower handles 24 and lift it clear of the lip 12 and allow it to slide downwardly on the guide flanges until it rests upon stops 2 1 at the lower extremities of the flanges.

Extending across the bottom of the opening and pivotally secured to the tub 2 is a plate 25 which in the closed position of the door 10 (Fig. 5) rests against the inner surface of the door but is maintained clear of the cylinder 1 by stop lugs 26. lVhen the door is opened, however, the plate drops downwardly through the opening mto posimen to form an extension guard and shelf lying in the plane of the discharging partition in the cylinder 1, whereby the load in Y a properly positioned compartment may slide out of the compartment across the space between cylinder and tub and clear of the tub and onto a conveyor or into whatever receptacle may be provided for it.

In closing the tub 2 the operator grasps the door 10 by its upper handles 27, slides it upwardly guided by the flanges 23 until clear of the lip 12, and then pushes its lower edge inwardly into the trough formed by the lip; which operation automatically raises the flap 25 clear of the opening. The door may then be clamped water tight by pusaing back the lever 20. The door 9 may then be pulled downwardly to rest upon the door 10, a plate member 28 being provided across the opening at the unction of the doors to brace them in the close-d position.

Since the cylinder is divided into three equal compartments, when it is stopped with the near partition somewhat above the horizontalposition, as in dash dot position, Fig. 1, and with the loading door 9 and the cylinder door 5 both opened, a compartment load may be introduced into the compartment by gravity. If the cylinder is-stop-ped with the upper partition in a vertical position, as in full lines, Fig. 1, the angle of repose-of the load resting upon the partition wall or the near compartment is exceeded. Consequently, when the unloading door. 10 of the tub2 and the door 5 ofthe cylinder compartment areboth open, the load immediately slides out of the compartment and over the flap 25. r r

In operation, assuming all of the compartments filled with articles which have just completed the treating process, and the treating liquid withdrawn from the tub the first step is to stop the cylinder with one of the partitions lying in about the dash dot position, Fig. 1. The loading door 9 is then opened. Unloading door 10 is released by pulling the lever outwardly, and is opened as already described in detail; after which the near compartment door 5 is unlocked and opened. The cylinder is then rotated in a counter clockwise direction (Fig. 1) until the partition wall of the open compartment is aligned with the plate in the tub opening, in which position the contents of the comp art- Inent slide from the compartment and-out of the machine. This unloading process is then repeated for the remaining compartments, which may then be successively loaded by gravity through that portion of the tub opening uncovered by the loading door 9, the doors 5 being successively closed and bolted as their respective compartments are loaded.

" The unloading door 10 is'then closed and clamped, the loading door is closed, the tub or casing is supplied with a treating liquid, if such is to be used, and the cylinder is start ed in its treating process, such as washing, dry cleaning, air drying or tumbling, dyeing or the like. p i

From the above description of our invention'it is obvious that we have provided in a washing or like machine means for loading and unloading the machine without requiring the extension of any portion of the operators body within the confines thereof, thus eliminating all danger ofaccident. Further most of the labor of handling the articles to be washed is done away with by utilizing theforce of gravity to the fullestpossibleextent. I

These accomplishments have been made possible by the application to the three compartment .type of treating cylinder of an opening extending below the center of the machine in excess. of the angle of repose and since this is below the water line, by providing water tight means for closing the opening.

In some cases restrictions as to space or other apparatus in a given: plant may prevent the use of gravity feed of the work either to or from the machine. In such cases, however, the drum may be stopped with its partition horizontal, as in dotted lines, Fig. 1, and

as lar ge, diametrically, as the no-p'artition machines, all without increasing and indeed with actual reduction'in the labor of loading and unloading.

What we claim is V r V 1; In a-machine of the character described,

a liquid receiving casing provided with a pair of openings, a slidable closure for each of sand openlngs, clampingmeans effective between said closures for maintaining the same in liquid sealing position, and a single means for actuating said clamping means to unclamp both of said closures.

2. In a machine or the character described, a liquid receiving casing provided with a pair of openings, a slidable closure for each of said openings, inwardlymovable clamp ing means effective between said closures for maintaining the same in liquid sealing position, and a single means for actuating said clamping means to unclamp both of said closures. I I r 3. In a machine of the character described, a liquid receiving casing provided with a pair of openings, a closure for each of said openings, clamping members along the side edge portions of each of said openings, and a single means for actuating said clamping members.

. 4. In a machine of the character described, a liquid receiving chambered casing provided with an opening,a bracket along an edge portion of said openingprovided with slots extending inwardly toward the chamber of said casing, a roller carrying bar having members moving in said slots, a slidable closurefor said opening, and means for actuating said bar to cause its membersto move in said slots to advance the rollers of "said bar into clamping engagement with'said closure.

5. In a machine of the character described, a liquid-receiving cylindrical outer casing provided with a circumferentially extending opening terminating below the normal level of liquid in said casing, a pair of oppositely slidable closures for said casing opening, the upper closure extending above the normal liquid level in said casing and being adapt ed to cover and expose the upper loading por tion of said casing opening and the lower closure extending below the normal liquid level in said casing and being adapted to cover and expose the lower unloading portion of said casing opening, and sealing means for said lower closure so as to prevent the escape of liquid from'said casing through the lower portion of said casing opening.

6. In a machine of the character described, a liquid-receiving cylindrical outer casing provided with an opening terminating below the normal level of liquid in said casing, said casing being provided at the bottom edge of said opening with a substantially V-shaped groove provided throughout its length with packing, and a closure for said caslng opening slidable below the same to expose sa1d opening, the bottom edge of said closure, when in closing position with respect to said opening, lying within said groove in engagement with said packing, the V-shapeof said groove causing the lower edge of said closure to be wedged against said packing with consequent greater sealing effects.

7. In a machine of the character described, a liquid-receiving cylindrical casing provided with an opening, a closure for said opening slidable along the outside of said casing to expose said opening, and clamping means for said closure carried by said casing and arranged adjacent an edge of said opening, said clamping means being movable inwardly and outwardly with respect to said easing into and out of clamping engagement with said closure.

8. In a machine of the character described, a liquid-receiving casing provided with an opening, a slidable closure for said opening, a clamping member for said closure mounted on said casing at one edge of said closure for movement both circumferentially and inwardly into clamping engagement with said closure, and means for so moving said clamping member to effect clamping engagement thereof with said closure.

9. In a machine of the character described, a liquid-receiving casing provided with an opening, a slidable closure for said opening, supporting and guiding means mounted on said casing at one edge of said opening, a clamping member for said closure carried by said supporting and guiding means and guided thereby into clamping engagement with said closure, said clamping member having both circumferential and inward movement, and means for so moving said clamping member to effect clamping engagement thereof with said closure.

10. In a machine of the character described, a liquid receiving casing provided with an opening, an inwardly movable bar arranged at one edge portion of said opening, a plurality of rollers carried by said bar, a slidable closure for said opening, means for moving said bar inwardly to advance the rollers into clamping engagement with said closure, and means for maintaining said rollers in all positions I to which they are moved opposite said casing opening.

11. In a machine of the character described, a liquid receiving casing provided with an opening, inwardly movable bars, one at each side edge portion of said opening, rollers carried by said bars, a slidable closure for said opening, a single means for moving both of said bars inwardly to advance the rollers into clamping engagement With said closure, and means for maintaining said rollers in all positions to which they are moved opposite said casing opening.

12. In a machine of the character described, a casing provided with an opening, a work receiving container arranged within said casing, a closure for said opening, and a work supporting member pivotally mounted on said casing at the lower edge of said opening, and lying with said casing when said closure is closing said opening, said member automatically swinging outwardly through said opening to a generally horizontal work supporting position wherein it extends through said opening, upon movement of said closure to expose said opening, said member being free of positive connection to said closure.

13. In a machine of the character described, a casing provided with an opening in its side wall, a work receiving cylinder arranged within said casing in spaced relation to the side wall thereof, a closure for said casing opening, and a work supporting member pivotally mounted on said casing at the lower edge of said opening and automatically swinging outwardly through said opening to a. generally horizontal work supporting position, wherein it extends through said opening, upon movement of said closure to expose said opening, said work supporting member being provided with a portion adapted to substantially bridge the space between said casing and said work receiving cylinder when said member is in such work supporting position, said member lying within said space, within said casing, when said closure is closing said casing opening, said work supporting member being free of positive connection to said closure.

14. In a machine of the character described, a casing provided with an opening in its side wall, a work receiving cylinder mounted within said casing in spaced relation to the side Wall thereof, a closure for said casing opening, and a work supporting member pivotally mounted on said casing at the lower edge of the opening thereof, said member being adapted to swing to a generally horizontal position to bridge the space between said casing and said cylinder when said casing closure is open, said member lying within said casing, in the space between said casing and said cylinder, when said casing closure is closed, said work supporting member being free of positive connection to said closure.

In testimony whereof we hereby aflix our signatures.

EMIL J. CARROLL. EDMUND I. CUTTER. 

